Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 Is Coming — And Anime Expo 2026 Is About to Blow the Doors Off
Remember when Cyberpunk: Edgerunners dropped on Netflix in 2022 and absolutely destroyed everyone emotionally? David Martinez became an overnight icon, Lucy’s story left fans in tears, and Studio TRIGGER delivered what many still call the greatest video game anime adaptation of all time. Now, CD PROJEKT RED and TRIGGER are back — and they’re bringing the sequel to Anime Expo 2026 with what could be the biggest anime reveal of the summer.
The Official Anime Expo 2026 Panel — Everything We Know So Far
CD PROJEKT RED has confirmed a dedicated panel for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 at Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 3rd at 7:30 PM PT at the Crypto.com Arena. This isn’t just a teaser or a logo drop — it’s a full deep dive with the actual creators behind the series.
The panel lineup is stacked:
- Bartosz Sztybor — Showrunner and story writer (CD PROJEKT RED)
- Saya Elder — Executive Producer (CD PROJEKT RED)
- Kai Ikarashi — Series Director (Studio TRIGGER), the same director who helmed Episode 6 of the original series — widely considered one of the best episodes ever
- Danny Motta — Hosting the panel
According to the official press release, fans in attendance will get an exclusive first look at the new story set in Night City. That means new characters, new footage, and probably the first real answer to the question every Edgerunners fan has been asking: What does a post-David Martinez Night City look like?
A Brand New Standalone Story — What We Can Expect
Here’s the thing — CD PROJEKT RED has been crystal clear that Edgerunners 2 is not a continuation of David’s story. The first season wrapped that arc with devastating finality (and if you haven’t seen it, fair warning: grab tissues). Instead, the sequel is a completely standalone series with a new cast of characters navigating the brutal streets of Night City.
This approach makes perfect sense. The original Edgerunners succeeded because it told a tight, self-contained story with characters you couldn’t help but love. Trying to replace David would be a mistake. Instead, TRIGGER and CD PROJEKT RED seem to be expanding the universe — showing us new corners of Night City, new edgerunners, and new nightmares.
What do we know about the creative team? Kai Ikarashi stepping up as full director is a massive deal. His work on the original series — particularly the legendary Episode 6 — proved he understands how to balance TRIGGER’s explosive visual style with genuine emotional storytelling. Add Masahiko Otsuka as co-showrunner and Kanno Ichigo as character designer, and you’ve basically assembled an anime dream team.
Why This Could Be the Biggest Anime Event of 2026
Let’s put this in perspective. The original Cyberpunk: Edgerunners didn’t just do well — it won Anime of the Year at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, beating out titans like Spy x Family and Attack on Titan. It revived mainstream interest in Cyberpunk 2077 the game, pulled in millions of new fans who’d never touched an anime before, and became one of Netflix’s highest-rated animated series ever.
The hype for a sequel was inevitable. CD PROJEKT RED first teased the project at Anime Expo 2025, revealing the logo and first promotional poster. But since then? Radio silence. No release date, no character reveals, no trailers. The fandom has been clawing at the walls.
Which is exactly why this Anime Expo 2026 panel matters so much. Four years have passed since the original dropped. Netflix has started investing more heavily in anime. TRIGGER has continued to prove they’re one of the most visually inventive studios in the industry. The streaming anime landscape in 2026 is more competitive than ever — and Edgerunners 2 needs to make a statement.
The Cyberpunk Anime Legacy — Where Edgerunners 2 Fits
It’s worth remembering that Edgerunners wasn’t just a great anime — it was a game-changing moment for anime adaptations of video games. Before it, the track record was rough. After it, studios and publishers started taking anime adaptations seriously as prestige projects. The success paved the way for shows like Arcane, Castlevania: Nocturne, and countless others.
Edgerunners 2 carries that legacy forward. If it lands the way the original did, it could define the Summer 2026 anime season — and remind everyone why CD PROJEKT RED and TRIGGER’s partnership is one of the most exciting creative collaborations in entertainment right now.
What Fans Are Hoping to See at Anime Expo
Based on fan discussions and community speculation, here’s what the Edgerunners fandom is hoping to get from the panel:
- First trailer or teaser — Even 30 seconds of footage would break the internet
- New character designs — Who are the new edgerunners of Night City?
- Release window — Is this a 2026 or 2027 project?
- Cameos or connections — Will any original cast members return, even briefly?
- Game tie-in details — Could this connect to Cyberpunk 2077 DLC or the upcoming sequel?
The Bottom Line
July 3rd, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important dates of the anime year. If CD PROJEKT RED and TRIGGER deliver even a fraction of the magic that made the original Cyberpunk: Edgerunners a masterpiece, this Anime Expo panel will generate headlines everywhere — from gaming news to mainstream entertainment.
Night City is calling. And this time, the whole world will be watching.
What are YOU most excited to see from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2? Do you think it can live up to the original, or should they have left David’s story alone? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
